FAMILY FUN DAY IS FANTASTIC SUCCESS AGAIN

 20 juniors and 9 adults played and with 4 of the 9 teams tied on 29 it took Isla, Archie and Ian who’s 28 including two 2’s took the Trophy. Everyone had a great time and the Texas Scramble format works great at these events. We already have 7 pairs signed up for the Strathmore GolfSixes Championship on Tuesday so still time to sign up. We also had it confirmed we play Crieff in the semi finals of the Bell Salver. We already shared the spoils with them in the league stages being the only team not to be beaten by them so hopefully we can go one better. Their team manager is currently on holiday in Ireland but hopes to have dates for the first leg at Crieff very soon. 

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

Huge congratulations to Stuart Duncan on winning the Scratch Championship against Junior Club Captain Blair Hockley. Jack Stevenson won the handicap Championship against vice Captain Cameron Redden. Great golf was played with both winners deserving to pick up the trophies. Dawn the Junior Handicap Secretary won the Ladies Championship so a fantastic day all round. 

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINALIST DECIDED

Tonight was the semi finals of the handicap section with Jack winning 3&2 against Louis and Cameron winning against Artchie on the 19th. 2 great matches and a great final in store. Blair will play Stuart in the Scratch final. 

FLAG COMPETITION

Today Keegan took up my offer of assistance for preparing for the Skills Challenge Final and Dawn and I were impressed that he used a bit of imagination with his choice of clubs. We gave him a few tips and he was using them to great effect. Conan joined us and before we went out on the course they both practiced the putting Challenge and to be fair both excelled. Keegan only missed the 5ft putt once !! 7 juniors entered today’s Flag Competition and headed out. Emily for her first event. Jack and Louis teed off before us for 18 holes. We worked on Keegan’s yardages and both their short games as we went round and both boys listened and learned. We gave them advise regarding elevation changes and wind strength and direction and they both took this in and I’m sure their scoring will improve dramatically. Conan’s ball striking has improved so much its incredible the distances he is hitting the ball. Just off the edge of the 2nd green with his drive off the yellow tees !!! Team Keegan and I ran out winners in our match which was mainly down  to the shots he was getting but on the 7th he was 2ft from the pin in 3 and had 2 shots so there in 1. Met Tom getting ready to play with his grandad and Nate was just teeing off as well. Great to see so many youngsters out playing today.The Flag Competition was a close run affair with Jed and Jake tying by holing out on the 7th and Keiran one putt behind. 

GOLFSIXES

Very proud of our young Juniors today. The A team won with a score of 123 followed by the B team on 117. Keir and Tarah had the best pair score of 43 points followed by Jed and Kaden with 41 but special mention to Olly and Jake in the B team who also scored 41. Olly and Tarah won the 2 nearest the pins and   Nate was for the 2nd time picked as exceptional player of the day by turning up early and practicing his putting for an hour, that’s commitment. With the A team winning both fixtures so far they have a realistic chance of making the Scottish final but the B team could still pip them depending on the result at the North Inch. Exciting times return to Strathmore and I see a lot of these players will progress to the next stage very soon. 

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Jessica was first up asking for the distances for the chipping and putting for the National Skills Challenge Final in 2 weeks time. She is keen to get practicing and also wanted to check how many cards she has in for the Leitfie Summer League. Met Tarah and Keir who were both our practicing for tomorrow’s GolfSixes and Keir shot his personal best of 33 gross and knocked 4 shots off his Fun Leitfie Handicap. Jack was also out last night and this morning so it’s great to see them taking it very seriously. In the afternoon I accompanied Archie, Conan and Stuart and was very impressed by all 3 not only with their play but also their etiquette and camaraderie towards each other. Archie had his best ever score, gross 85 and 40 points and another handicap cut which Conan will also get with 39 points. Conan was hitting the ball miles. Through the back of the green on 10 with a 3 wood and a drive uphill on 18 that went 310yds. Stuart was also playing very steady but had a couple of loose shots which cost him but what a pleasure to witness the progress these three boys have made.

JUNIOR OPEN 2022

Fantastic with players from outside the UK taking part along with others from England, Dunbar, Montrose and St Andrews. Some great scoring with Kiron Gribble and Nina Fischer winning the boys and girls gross and Archie Pattullo and Lucy Moran winning the handicap. Kiron who played in the Barrie Douglas last year was very consistent but did say he struggled to get the pace of the fast greens but his highlight was an eagle on the 12th. Great to see Stuart getting 3rd Scratch, Archie winning the 1st handicap and Archie, Conan and Stuart picked up nearest the pin and longest drive prizes. Another fantastic day. 

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THRIFTY ONE DONATION

Huge thanks to Thrifty One for their generous donation of £104 from the raffle of the “Kilted Golfer” knitted by Anne Cocker who also made the presentation to Junior Convenor Iain Butchart and Stuart Duncan the lowest Scratch Junior member at today’s Junior Open. This money will be put to good use in furthering Junior golf at Strathmore. Thanks also to Alison Wilson who dropped off some equipment after she retired from golf. Great to receive these donations which are much appreciated

JUNIOR SKILLS CHALLENGE

Confirmed 6 players have made the finals at Gullane on the 6th August. Tarah, Jessica, Ellie-Marie, James , Keegan and Archie. This also includes tickets to the AIG Womens Open at Muirfield. Could We have another national Champion ? Was down to Strathmore today to watch Heather MacRae playing in the Arnold Clark PGA Tartan Tour event. What a round 7 under par through 9 and 10 under for her round finishing 13 under for the 36 holes and winning the tournament. So pleased for her and an inspiration for Ladies in golf.

SUPER SUNDAY

Think our team came of age today. Speaking to them before the match they knew the importance of getting a result today. A win would secure  a semi final place but a defeat would end any hope of that. All our players were giving shots. Cameron 8, Stuart 4, Archie 6 and Jack 3. Reminded Cameron that Lucy was getting 3 shots in the last 4 holes so he would be better to finish his match by the 14th but he went one better and won his match on the 13th. He played some brilliant golf and was probably only 3 over par to that point. At the turn Jack who had been 3 down got it back to 2 down at the turn by finding the back of the green in 2. Archie and Douglas were having a great match but Archie was 1 down at the turn. Stuart was playing very consistent golf and turned 2 up. His form continued on the back nine and he secured a well deserved 3&2 win on 16. Archie is a player who never gives up and and played the back nine very well and won his match 4&3. Could we get a clean sweep. Jack birdied 15 to square his match. He unexpectedly lost 16, halved 17 but won 18 to half his match which he thoroughly deserved. Great result and that winning feeling will give them added confidence for the semi final. 

Cormac unfortunately lost out in the semi final of the Scottish Boys Amateur match play by one hole. Tomorrow we will get the results of the Skills Challenge and hopefully we will have some very excited juniors looking forward to the final.